Ganesh Kumar controversy: Revisiting 2013 incident that forced his resignation

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar is embroiled in a fresh family-related controversy as assembly elections approach, following serious allegations made by his wife, Bindu Menon. The revelations have reignited political debates in Kerala, recalling past controversies that had earlier forced Ganesh Kumar to resign from ministerial office.

Revisiting 2013: Yamini Thankachy and political upheaval

Ganesh Kumar’s earlier marital dispute with Dr Yamini Thankachy had sparked a major political controversy in 2013. The couple, who were married on May 20, 1994, ended their 19-year relationship amid allegations of domestic harassment and infidelity.

Yamini later came forward with public accusations, alleging that she had faced continuous harassment during the marriage. She also lodged complaints with the then Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, which brought the issue into the political spotlight.

Also Read | Ganesh Kumar apologises amid row; Wife Bindu Menon says she won’t escalate the issue

The controversy culminated in Ganesh Kumar’s resignation from the ministry on April 2, 2013. Following the divorce, he reportedly provided Yamini with a residence in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, ₹2.5 crore in settlement, and ₹75 lakh for their children.

Solar case impact

Ganesh Kumar’s political ambitions were further affected by the revelations surrounding the solar case, which delayed his return to the cabinet. After distancing himself from the UDF, he later contested and won assembly elections under the LDF banner, eventually returning as a cabinet minister. 

Marriage with Bindu Menon

After his divorce from Yamini, Ganesh Kumar married Bindu Menon on January 24, 2014. Bindu, a marketing employee of a media house in Kerala, married Ganesh in a low-key ceremony at his ancestral home in Kottarakkara. 

Earlier this week, Bindu Menon came out against the incumbent Transport Minister with serious allegations, claiming that she found him in a compromising situation at their family home. She reportedly shared her concerns with former IPS officer R Sreelekha, who advised her to seek police intervention. Bindu alleged that Ganesh Kumar’s personal staff attempted to detain her and confiscate her mobile phone to prevent documentation of the incident.

Ganesh Kumar has responded dismissively, stating that his personal relationships are a private matter. Nonetheless, the controversy has intensified political pressure, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) demanding his resignation.